2. amps-preamps
  3. 1258313834

Tube vs. Solid State Rectifier

How much does the rectifier stage effect the character of an amplifier. So far, on nearly every SS/Tube decision that's come down, I've gone with tubes. Now, I'm looking at two 300b push-pull integrated amps, the main difference between the two is that one puts out 18W/ch and uses tube rectifiers while the other puts out 25W/ch and uses SS rectification. The SS unit has a much greater bandwidth and just specs out better in general. I'm leaning toward the SS rectifier as long as the amp will still have that tube magic. Your opinions will be appreciated.
phaelon
mf2
24 posts
 
My general preference from DIYing a few preamplifier and amplifier combinations has been to use a tube rectifier in the pre and ss in the amp. This has struck a nice balance between the warmth of tubes and the perceived speed and "snap" of ss.

Of course, the best alternative would be to have the opportunity for you to compare both in your system as there may be other attributes to each amplifier that would better suit your system.
jburidan
803 posts
 
I wouldn't buy amp or preamp with solid state rectification.
hifitime
715 posts
 
Be careful trying out of those SS adapters. It will give a higher B+ voltage on the tubes,transformers,and caps/etc. These parts can be damaged.Those adapters don't have any voltage correction for different rectifier tube types.It can be risky.
lewhite
156 posts
 
thread jack/ How about the alternative of battery power/ thread unjack.
mlsstl
1,440 posts
 
Lewhite, not sure that battery power is a practical alternative for tube amps. My two amps need B+ voltages in excess of 400 volts. Not too many readily available batteries meet that need.

Alternatively, what's the point of have a lower voltage battery if you have to run it through a converter to step up the voltage? That is typically done with an AC conversion or switching process that defeats the whole point of the battery's pure DC output.
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